US 12,338,022 B2
Automated beverage dispenser system and method
Aaron Thomas, Louisville, KY (US); Karl Thomas Szatrowski, Louisville, KY (US); Hunter Patrick Wyer, Lexington, SC (US); Zachary Logan Dulcie, Columbia, SC (US); James Timothy Hance, Jr., Columbia, SC (US); Grant Rorie Phillips, Columbia, SC (US); Paul Christopher Brown, Elgin, SC (US); Mark William Ahring, Columbia, SC (US); and Sarah Katherine Gilliam, Charleston, SC (US)
Assigned to Yum Connect, LLC, Louisville, KY (US)
Filed by YUM CONNECT, LLC, Louisville, KY (US)
Filed on Feb. 10, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/167,630.
Prior Publication US 2024/0270427 A1, Aug. 15, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B65B 43/50 (2006.01); B65B 3/04 (2006.01); B65B 7/28 (2006.01); B67D 1/00 (2006.01); B67D 1/12 (2006.01)
CPC B65B 43/50 (2013.01) [B65B 3/04 (2013.01); B65B 7/2842 (2013.01); B67D 1/0035 (2013.01); B67D 1/1227 (2013.01); B67D 2210/00065 (2013.01); B67D 2210/00076 (2013.01); B67D 2210/00078 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A beverage production system, comprising:
a cup dispensing station configured to dispense cups;
a beverage dispensing station configured to dispense a beverage; and
a turntable assembly comprising:
a central axis;
an inner turntable including a row of cup receptacles; and
an outer turntable disposed circumferentially about the inner turntable, the outer turntable including a dial having a substantially flat circular surface;
wherein the inner turntable is configured to rotate about the central axis to align the cup receptacles of the row with the cup dispensing station and the beverage dispensing station;
wherein the turntable assembly is configured to align an opening in the turntable assembly with a cup receptacle in the row, the opening adjacent the outer turntable; and
an actuator configured to move a cup positioned in the cup receptacle in the row onto the outer turntable.
 
14. A method for beverage production, comprising:
dispensing a cup at a cup dispensing station into a cup receptacle in an inner turntable of a turntable assembly;
dispensing a beverage at a beverage dispensing station into the cup in the inner turntable of the turntable assembly;
rotating the inner turntable about a central axis of the turntable assembly to align the cup receptacle in the inner turntable with an opening between the inner turntable and an outer turntable of the turntable assembly, the outer turntable disposed circumferentially about the inner turntable and including a dial having a substantially flat circular surface; and
moving the cup, via an actuator, from the cup receptacle in the inner turntable onto the outer turntable via the aligned opening.